In the end, Leng Qingqiu was still too young. She hadn't seen through what bootlickers really were.
A bootlicker was nothing more than moral blackmail: I've done so much for you, so you should like me.
That was why bootlickers were so disgusting, both psychologically and physically.
But for Ye Ling, taking advantage of a bootlicker came with zero guilt. After all, he wasn't the one who had to take responsibility.
A lot of people felt uncomfortable because they believed that once they accepted a bootlicker's efforts, they were obligated to give something back. Otherwise, they'd be no better than a petty villain. That was why they refused to accept such treatment.
But if you didn't have to be responsible for anything, then being fawned over by a bootlicker was actually pretty enjoyable.
[Huang Ren's Adoration Value for Host +2]
And every few seconds, Huang Ren would even provide Ye Ling with one or two Emotion Points, which made things feel even better.
Still, Ye Ling knew when to stop. Teasing Leng Qingqiu a little was fine, but if he actually caused her real trouble, that would be crossing the line.
"No need to host me."
Ye Ling looked at Leng Qingqiu and asked, "Qingqiu, did you take care of what I told you to do?"
"I—"
Leng Qingqiu thought she was finally going to get a word in, but before she could speak, Huang Ren interrupted her again.
"What business does Uncle need to handle?"
Huang Ren had at least enough self-awareness to realize that he hadn't managed to win Leng Qingqiu over.
But before Ye Ling appeared, she had been his only target.
Now that Ye Ling had entered the picture, the situation had changed completely, and Huang Ren immediately threw himself into bootlicking Ye Ling with everything he had.
"I'm not bragging, but in Tianqiong City, there's nothing I can't get done."
He thumped his chest, putting on a grand show of confidence.
And to be fair, as the grandson of the Resident Imperial Commissioner, he really did have the right to say that.
In a place like Tianqiong City, even the City Lord would still have to give him some face.
"Oh?"
Seeing Huang Ren practically volunteering to be used, Ye Ling cast a subtle glance at Leng Qingqiu, sending her a silent message with his eyes: Is it fine if I teach him a lesson?
For some reason, even though they hadn't interacted much and had known each other for less than a day, Leng Qingqiu still understood exactly what Ye Ling meant.
Her face remained cold as she gave a slight nod.
She had been sick of Huang Ren for a long time. If Ye Ling could deal with him, it would be satisfying revenge.
"Wouldn't it be too much trouble for Young Master Huang?" Ye Ling asked.
Now that he had Leng Qingqiu's approval, he deliberately played the part of reluctant refusal first.
"Not trouble at all, not trouble at all!"
Huang Ren hurriedly waved his hands, his smile bright and eager.
He wasn't stupid. In conversations like this, the other side was always being polite. No one would ask a favor outright. That would look bad.
This kind of back-and-forth routine? He knew it inside out.
"But…" Ye Ling frowned slightly, as if he was having trouble bringing it up.
"No worries at all," Huang Ren said immediately. "Brother Leng and I are close friends. If Uncle has any difficulties, just say the word."
He patted his chest and made an outright promise.
"As long as you say it, I'll handle it for you. I guarantee it'll be done properly!"
Huang Ren's cultivation wasn't low. Even though it had been forcibly boosted by heavenly treasures, he was still at the peak of Foundation Establishment. That was more than enough for him to sense that Ye Ling was only at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
To him, even matters involving Soul Formation cultivators weren't worth calling serious.
Even if it involved someone at Tribulation Transcendence, he could grit his teeth, beg his grandfather, and still get it done.
So he wasn't nervous at all. If anything, he looked ready to jump in and answer before Ye Ling even finished speaking.
But watching Huang Ren act like this left Ye Ling completely stunned.
I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already throwing yourself down?
Still, that was fine. It saved Ye Ling a lot of effort.
"Since Young Master Huang has already said so much," Ye Ling said, "if I keep refusing, I'd just seem hypocritical."
"Just say it!"
"I want to inspect the brothels of Tianqiong City."
"Alright, no problem! We'll go right n—go ri—"
Huang Ren froze halfway through his sentence.
He stared at Ye Ling in disbelief, his expression completely blank, and asked cautiously, "Y-you… what did you just say?"
"I want to visit the brothels in Tianqiong City. Is that not allowed?"
Ye Ling's expression was perfectly calm. There was none of the excitement or embarrassment most people showed when brothels were mentioned. He spoke as casually as if he were asking, Have you eaten yet?
But Huang Ren's mind was in complete chaos.
Did I hear that right?
Brothels?
He wants Miss Leng to book him a brothel?
Huang Ren was so shocked he nearly forgot what his own mother looked like.
But as a young master of a major family, he wasn't truly stupid. He quickly forced himself to calm down.
Stay steady!
Huang Ren, you need to stay steady right now!
Miss Leng is standing right behind you watching. You absolutely cannot lose your composure!
After regaining his senses, he immediately came to a conclusion.
This was Ye Ling's… test!
Using something like this to test me…
So I've really caught Uncle's eye!
Having convinced himself he'd sorted out the cause and effect of everything, Huang Ren immediately put on a righteous, indignant expression.
"Uncle," he said firmly, "if it were anything else, I'd agree without hesitation. But visiting a brothel? You've got the wrong person. I've never been to a place like that."
"Then forget it," Ye Ling said flatly.
But instead of pressing further, Ye Ling actually looked disappointed. He walked right past Huang Ren and stopped in front of Leng Qingqiu.
"Qingqiu, let's go back. Later, you can take me out for a stroll."
"Yes."
Leng Qingqiu nodded obediently and followed behind him.
As she passed Huang Ren, she felt an incredible sense of relief, like she'd finally shaken off a piece of stubborn, sticky gum.
???
Watching Ye Ling and Leng Qingqiu walk away, Huang Ren fell into deep thought.
Did I choose wrong?
That can't be right!
Wasn't Uncle just pretending to leave? Maybe he's testing my resolve, and once he sees how firm I am, he'll come back and praise me!
No… it must be because I haven't stood here long enough. If I wait a little longer, Uncle will definitely return.
There's no way he'd seriously ask Miss Leng to book him a brothel appointment… right?
If that's actually true, I'll swallow the entire Mortal Realm Hall whole… pond and all!
Determined to prove his unwavering principles, Huang Ren didn't even sit down in the lobby. Instead, he stood stiffly in place like a statue, staring straight at the direction Ye Ling and Leng Qingqiu had disappeared.
...
On the way back to the Heavenly Courtyard.
"Phew… I finally got rid of that guy."
Once Leng Qingqiu confirmed Huang Ren couldn't see her anymore, she shivered several times in disgust.
Today had truly been unbearable.
"Oh? I didn't know you had this side to you," Ye Ling said teasingly. "This is a first."
It was also the first time he'd ever seen Leng Qingqiu act so… girlish.
"If you had some obsessive freak chasing you around, you'd understand exactly how I feel," Leng Qingqiu said, shooting him an annoyed look.
But perhaps because Ye Ling had helped her out earlier, her attitude toward him was noticeably warmer than before.
"Mm…"
Ye Ling couldn't help but picture the scene.
A dozen crazy women like Huang Ren swarming around him…
Yeah. No thanks.
If it were in one of those storybooks, he might enjoy it. But sex without feelings only left emptiness once it was over.
Sage Mode wasn't some joke.
If those crazed women surrounded him and tried to drain him dry, it wouldn't just be physically unbearable. More importantly, he wouldn't be able to handle it mentally either.
The thought alone made him shiver.
"I thought you weren't scared," Leng Qingqiu said, seeing his awkward reaction. Her lips curved as she let out a quiet laugh.
"I'm still human," Ye Ling said, shaking his head. "I'm not above that sort of thing."
His cultivation was still shallow. He didn't even have the mindset most cultivators developed. He still had very human emotions, though his background made him a bit stranger than ordinary people.
"But you really surprised me," Leng Qingqiu said. Her beautiful emerald-green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him. "When I saw you, I thought you'd either drag me away immediately, or start fighting with him out of jealousy."
"Who knew you'd pretend to be my uncle? I almost believed it."
"Pfft!"
Ye Ling showed absolutely no mercy toward her girlish fantasies.
He snorted and said irritably, "What, did Liu, Guan, and Zhang all run into your stomach and swear brotherhood in there? I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to."
"???"
Naturally, Leng Qingqiu had no idea what he was talking about.
But judging from his tone and expression, she could tell perfectly well that he wasn't saying anything nice.
Before she could respond, Ye Ling continued.
"Every day you don't focus on cultivating. All you do is daydream. If you've got that much free time, you'd be better off learning how to deal with people from me. That's way more useful than standing around fantasizing, isn't it?"
This woman really dared to imagine anything.
Ye Ling didn't dislike dreamers, but only as long as they weren't using him as the centerpiece of their fantasies.
[Leng Qingqiu's resentment toward host +111]
Leng Qingqiu shot Ye Ling a deeply resentful look, and her good mood instantly vanished.
"Oh? Now you feel wronged?" Ye Ling shot back, glaring at her without backing down.
"I'm teaching you how to survive. Don't go around the Cultivation World expecting good things to fall into your lap. If someone speaks up for you, think carefully about whether they're after something."
"Don't get so used to being surrounded by bootlickers that you forget who you are. One day you'll get sold out and won't even realize it."
In Ye Ling's eyes, Leng Qingqiu had survived this long purely because she was born lucky.
If she didn't have her family backing her, with her mindset, she would've been eaten alive in the Cultivation World long ago, leaving nothing behind.
And if she hadn't run into Bai Yiyi, and if the Heavenly Gate Sect had been under Ye Ling's control instead, then even if she didn't die, she would've ended up locked away inside the Heavenly Gate Sect.
But maybe Bai Yiyi hadn't taught her a harsh enough lesson. She was already getting carried away again.
Ye Ling had no choice but to knock her down a peg. Otherwise, this foolish girl might really go and do something stupid.
"...Sorry."
After apologizing, Leng Qingqiu lowered her head and pressed her lips together. Tears swirled in her eyes for a moment before finally spilling down her cheeks.
To be honest, even at home, no one had ever scolded her like this.
But she wasn't unreasonable. She knew Ye Ling was doing it for her sake.
And his words really had shaken her awake.
Other people might treat her well for her family background or her looks.
But Ye Ling was different.
This guy… clearly just wanted to scold her!